System for mounting a snap ring

Abstract

A system for mounting a snap ring to a workpiece includes: a supporting structure; a snap ring guide unit mounted to the supporting structure by a first actuating device; a snap ring assembling unit including a supporting portion connected to the supporting structure by a second actuating device, a snap ring assembling jig, and a third actuating device, which pivots the assembling jig; a snap ring inner diameter measuring unit including a snap ring inner diameter measuring jig pivotally connected to the supporting portion of the snap ring assembling unit, a fourth actuating device, which pivots the inner diameter measuring jig, and a linear gauge that measures the pivotal position of the inner diameter measuring jig; and a control unit controlling the actuating devices and determining, based on a comparison of the measured snap ring mounted diameter and a predetermined value, whether the snap ring has been accurately mounted.

1. A system for mounting a snap ring to a workpiece, comprising:
 a supporting structure; 
 a snap ring guide unit movably connected to the supporting structure; 
 a snap ring assembling unit movably connected to the supporting structure; 
 a snap ring inner diameter measuring unit movably connected to the supporting structure; and 
 a control unit that controls positions of the snap ring guide unit, the snap ring assembling unit, and the snap ring inner diameter measuring unit with respect to the supporting structure, and determines whether the snap ring has been accurately mounted, wherein the snap ring assembling unit comprises: 
 a supporting portion movably connected to the supporting structure by a second actuating device; 
 at least one snap ring assembling jig pivotally connected to the supporting portion; and 
 at least one third actuating device, which selectively pivots the at least one snap ring assembling jig. 
 
   
   
     2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the snap ring guide unit is movably connected to the supporting structure by a first actuating device. 
   
   
     3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the snap ring inner diameter measuring unit comprises:
 at least one snap ring inner diameter measuring jig pivotally connected to the supporting portion of the snap ring assembling unit; 
 at least one fourth actuating device, which selectively pivots the at least one snap ring inner diameter measuring jig; and 
 at least one linear gauge that detects a pivotal position of the at least one snap ring inner diameter measuring jig. 
 
   
   
     4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines whether the snap ring has been accurately mounted based on a comparison of a snap ring diameter measured by the snap ring inner diameter measuring unit and a predetermined value. 
   
   
     5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one third actuating device selectively pivots the at least one snap ring assembling jig such that an end of the at least one snap ring assembling jig moves in an outward radial direction of the snap ring guide unit. 
   
   
     6. The system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the at least one snap ring inner diameter measuring jig is configured such that an end thereof moves in an outward radial direction of the snap ring guide unit when the at least one fourth actuating device is in an “off” state; and 
 the at least one fourth actuating device selectively pivots the at least one snap ring inner diameter measuring jig such that the end of the at least one snap ring inner diameter measuring jig moves in an inward radial direction of the snap ring guide unit. 
 
   
   
     7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the control unit operates the at least one fourth actuating device such that the end of the at least one snap ring inner diameter measuring jig remains disposed in the inward radial direction of the snap ring guide unit while the at least one snap ring assembling jig pushes the snap ring toward the workpiece.